Sciatica Physical Therapy
Dr Tim Vidale is a miracle worker. I have been with him for about 8 weeks and am amazed by the improvements throughout my neck, upper and lower back. He knows the human body like a map and can pinpoint targeted areas that need work/treatment. Dr Vidale has also been very helpful advising me on ergonomic positions while using the computer, as extended sitting was uncomfortable for me and wrote a letter on my behalf advising my employer to provide a standing desk. He obviously deeply cares about his patients, which is one of the many outstanding traits of his practice.
I walked into Therpaydia with awful lower back pain and after several weeks of treatment, I am able to function without pain. The environment is very welcoming. Dr. Vidale knows what he is doing and explains everything thoroughly.
Jennifer is fantastic. After only two weeks my back pain is significantly less. She zeroed in immediately on the problem. Other PTs will watch you do exercises. That’s a waste of time and money. You can do those on your own time. Here they work on the problem. It can be painful, but so worth it.
What is Sciatica?
Generally, Sciatica is a term that is commonly used to describe pain, weakness, numbness, or tingling that radiates down the back of the leg. Typically, the symptoms follow the distribution of the sciatic nerve, but there can be some confusion as to the source of the pain especially when the patient’s symptoms are referred.
Here are the conditions that might be causing your sciatica:
- Sciatic nerve and piriformis muscle irritation or pinching usually by a herniated disc
- Bone spur or overgrowth in your spine
- Spinal stenosis or narrowing of the spinal canal in the lower back
- Degenerative disc disease
Signs & Symptoms
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The most common source of sciatica is pressure on the sciatic nerve from a herniation or protrusion of a spinal disc. This pressure on the nerve can create an irritation and inflammatory response causing symptoms to radiate down the leg following the path of the nerve that is compressed.
- Pain in the rear or leg when sitting down
- Burning or tingling feeling down the leg
- Weakness, or problems with moving your leg or foot
- Contact pain in the buttock
You may feel the following:
Why Physical Therapy
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Physical therapists can assess movement patterns to determine if the trigger point is the source of sciatica symptoms and correct any movement dysfunction that they find.
- Joint mobilization, manual therapy therapy, and myofascial release are common techniques to release or inhibit an active trigger point.
- Trigger point dry needling (also known as TDN, functional dry needling or intramuscular manual therapy) is becoming a very popular treatment for a variety of musculoskeletal issues but especially sciatica. The muscle relaxes and the trigger point becomes inhibited, alleviating the symptoms of sciatica.
- Core stabilization exercises in conjunction with lumbar range of motion are also effective at reducing sciatica symptoms.
About Therapydia DC
Better Physical Therapy Experience
At Therapydia DC, our physical therapists offer one-on-one, hands-on sciatica treatment. You’ll spend your entire with one of our expert therapists – we won’t hand you off to a PT assistant or aide. We’ll help you understand what’s causing your pain, what you can do to relieve your pain and ways to prevent reoccurring injuries. Best of all, you’re covered. Therapydia works with and provides billing for most PPO insurance groups and Medicare. We also accept cash-based payments.
- Lifetime Wellness
- Hands-On-Care
- Quality Treatment
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Tim Vidale, DPT
Clinic Director
and Physical Therapist -
Jennifer Nelson, DPT
Physical Therapist -
Jane Kruszewksi, DPT
Physical Therapist -
Joanne Divito, DPT
Physical Therapist